Nothing beats the flavor of wood-fired cooking, but getting the flame just right is a challenge. Fortunately, the best Traeger grills make even beginners look like seasoned pitmasters. "A Traeger grill is truly easy to use, taking away the most common problem when dealing with any other grill — having the knowledge of managing a flame," explains Stephen Chavez, Traeger owner and senior chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.
After years of testing and countless barbecues with the best grills, we found the Traeger Ironwood XL is the best because of its spacious two-rack design and wide temperature range. If you prefer to skip the wood pellets, the Traeger Flatrock is the smart choice with its expansive carbon steel surface ideal for everything from smash burgers to stir-fries.
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Here are our top picks for the best Traeger grills
Best overall: Traeger Ironwood XL — See at The Home Depot
Best upgrade: Traeger Timberline — See at Traeger
Best portable: Traeger Tailgater — See at The Home Depot
Best flattop: Traeger Flatrock — See at Traeger
Best overall
This large Traeger model delivers plenty of cooking space and essential features. It can be powered on from the temperature dial, monitored from the app on your phone, and has an interior light to make it that much easier to see what you’re cooking any time of day.
- Large cooking area with two levels
- Has super smoke and keep warm modes
- Interior light for grilling in the dark
- Wi-Fi connectivity and two meat probes included to monitor and change grill temperatures
- No bottom cabinet for closed storage
The Traeger Pro 575 or 780 are both excellent introductory options (earning a spot in our guide to the best pellet grills), but the Ironwood XL offers upgraded features and significantly more space for people who want to cook for a crowd. The large grill provides 924 square inches of cooking area with two racks to cook across both levels. The smaller Ironwood has the same additional features, but a more compact 616 square inches of cook space.
When it's time to fire up the grill, there's a dial button and color display with large text that shows the temperature readout. Thanks to the Ironwood's WiFi connectivity, you can monitor and adjust the temperature from the Traeger app. The two included meat probes allow you to track the precise temperature of the pork shoulder or brisket cooking inside. One of our favorite features is that once you lift the lid, a light shines down the length of the grill so you can easily see what you're doing.
I've personally tested this grill, along with the Timberline XL. While I love the additional space and the induction burner on the Timberline, the Ironwood edged into the best Traeger grill spot because it matches up on performance and convenience while coming in at a lower price point. Its design means plenty of space for cooking, and I loved having the side shelf and bottom for prep and storage. After dinner has been enjoyed, clean-up is simple. I use a brush on the porcelain grill grates and dump what's in the easily accessible grease and ash keg so it's ready for next time.
Best upgrade
If you want hands-off barbecuing with immaculate Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, it doesn't get any better than the Traeger Timberline series.
- Strong WiFi connectivity
- Perfectly even cooking
- Great gasket and seal
- Induction side burner and storage
- Wish the steel was thicker for the price
- Accessorizing is expensive
The Traeger Timberline is the most sophisticated of the best Traeger grills, with more bells and whistles than any other model. It has three levels inside, so there's plenty of cooking space for multiple whole chickens, several racks of ribs, or even baking several pans of biscuits. The Timberline XL offers an additional 440 square inches of space with all of the same features.
The Timberline has a large hopper capacity of 22 pounds, meaning you won't have to refill pellets too often. We were impressed by the dual-wall, steel construction; it ensures you won't lose too much heat while cooking, which is essential for barbecue. This grill also has WiFi connectivity and connects to the Traeger app. Add in the wireless meat probes, and you can easily track temperatures while cooking different things simultaneously.
With the added side induction burner, we think of this grill as a plug-and-play outdoor kitchen. The cooktop is compatible with just about any pot or pan, so I was sautéing peppers and onions to pair while a tri-tip was smoking on the grill. I also love that I can use the induction burner to cook outdoors even if I'm not grilling that day.
Once you pull your food off the grill, you can use the magnetic cutting board on the side for convenient slicing. The grill also has two wood shelves and a bottom cabinet for storing all of your tools and accessories, along with rubs and sauces.
Read our full Traeger Timberline review to learn more.
Best portable
This Traeger has folding legs, two wheels, and a more compact body for smoking and grilling on the go.
- Pellet grilling in a compact, smaller size
- Folding legs with two wheels for mobility
- Porcelain coating makes grill grates easier to clean
- 8-pound pellet hopper capacity requires frequent refilling
Most Traeger models aren't exactly portable. They're designed and built for use in the backyard or on the deck, and that is where we primarily test them. For those who want smoked flavor on the go, the Tailgater grill is the best portable grill in the Traeger lineup. It has folding legs and two wheels to make moving around a bit easier.
This compact grill works just like the other top Traeger models, just on a smaller scale. Its hopper holds eight pounds of pellets, which will last for about four hours, depending on the heat setting. While portable, a power source is also necessary; this is not a camping smoker. If you want a grill to take truly off the grid, the Weber Smokey Joe is affordable and durable.
The Tailgater is one of the simplest in design. It has two handles for hanging barbecue tools, but any other storage solutions, such as a front or side shelf, are sold separately. The grill can be used at temperatures up to 450 degrees F and has a keep-warm mode so your food can hang out on the grill until you're ready to dig in. Because this isn't a model with all of Trager's upgraded features, it does need to be monitored more frequently while cooking. Cleaning also requires a bit more work since it doesn't have the built-in grease and ash keg.
Best flattop
With three individual burners, this carbon steel cooktop provides a spacious area for cooking and adding excellent flavor. It’s powered by propane and has two folding side tables for prep and storage.
- Three distinct cooking zones for precise control
- Fuel gauge to help keep an eye on propane tank levels
- Wind block design helps to keep heat in
- Folding shelves on each side
- Takes up a lot of space
While the Traeger Flatrock doesn't run on wood pellets, it deserves a spot on our list of the best Traeger grills. The Flatrock still delivers on flavor and has a spacious carbon steel cooking area. Other than fuel source, the grill is designed like the other Traeger models with a durable, powder-coated steel exterior. Powered by propane, the Flatrock has three high-powered U-shaped burners. Each burner has its own ignition and temperature control dial to maintain different cooking zones. With all three burners on high, the Flatrock cranks out impressive heat: 47,000 BTUs.
I really love being able to cook at different temperatures across the entire griddle. For an outdoor brunch, I cooked sausages at a high temperature on one side and fluffy pancakes at a lower heat on the other. Plus, I can set each burner on low and serve food right off the grill.
The Flatrock takes up a lot of space, especially with the large folding shelves on each side. However, those come in handy for easy prep and storage while cooking. There's a built-in hook to hang your propane tank and a gauge that gives a read-out on the front of the grill so you'll always know before you run out of fuel. The grill is equipped with Traeger's signature grease and ash keg cleaning system; the inevitable grease build-up on the flat cooktop can be scraped into the catch and dumped.
Honorable mentions
Best Traeger under $1,000: Traeger Pro 575
One of our all-time favorite pellet grills, the Pro 575 is just on the edge of our list because of its size and simplicity. It's an awesome grill and smoker, retaining heat even in a stiff breeze. We recommend this model for a moderately experienced griller who doesn't need bells and whistles and wants to conserve space.
Best Traeger features for under $2,000: Traeger Woodridge Elite
If you want the Timberline's features, but for under $2,000, the Woodridge Elite is the way to go. We tested the grill and, aside from minor design flaws, it performed just as well as smokers twice the price. You get WiFi connectivity, SuperSmoke, and a side burner on the Elite; if you're willing to lose some features, the Woodridge Pro is $1,150 and a great basic smoker.
Read our full Traeger Woodridge Elite review to learn more.
What to look for in a Traeger grill
Size: If you're a frequent host, choose a grill with a slightly larger capacity than what you regularly need. Smaller households can get away with a compact model, while those who regularly entertain may want to go big. Also, look at the cooking surface area relative to the hopper capacity. The hopper should be big enough to minimize refills and keep temperatures consistent.
Insulation and heat retention: You need a grill that can reach and maintain consistent temperatures for reliable results. Insulation is important here. The higher-end Traeger models generally feature superior sealing and double-wall insulation to dramatically improve performance regardless of the weather, a major plus for those who like to grill year-round.
Added features: Specialized smoking modes and WiFi connectivity might make cooking more convenient, but also increase the complexity and price. We think the extra features are worth the cost for a Traeger grill, especially for beginners who want a more hands-off grilling experience.
What are the best Traeger models?
| Series | Sizes | Features | Best for |
| Ironwood | Standard (616 sq. inches), XL (934 sq. inches) | Built-in WiFi, Traeger App connectivity | Enthusiasts looking to upgrade or first-time buyers seeking features |
| Timberline | Standard (880 sq. inches), XL (1320 sq. inches) | Induction stove, multiple interior shelves, WiFi, touchscreen display, grease and ash clean-up system | Those seeking the ultimate upgrade or a full outdoor kitchen |
| Pro | 575 sq. inches, 780 sq. inches | WiFi connectivity, Traeger App connectivity | First-time pellet grill owners or those who don't need shelf space |
| Flatrock | N/A | Large griddle, durable steel construction | Traeger enthusiasts wanting another option or interested in a griddle |
| Woodridge | 860 sq. inches, 970 sq. inches | WiFi connectivity, side burner, thick insulation, enclosed cabinet, grease and ash clean-up system | Enthusiasts looking for the best value, barbecue hosts |
Traeger grill FAQs
What size Traeger should I get?
Each Traeger series has multiple sizes in the lineup. The choice depends on how you plan to use your Traeger and how much space you have.
Chavez says, "You should also consider what you will be using it to cook most often [...] If you are intending to do larger items, then I would suggest something larger. If you are intending to cook mostly burgers, chicken, or veggies for a smaller family, then get the grill that fits your lifestyle."
Can I cook different types of food on a Traeger grill?
Shawn Niles, former Masterchef contestant, loves the ability to smoke either hot or cold on his Traeger, from making pork loin to smoked bone marrow caramel. You can use your Traeger like an oven, cooking or baking at 350 to 450 degrees. At higher temperatures, less smoke will be infused into your food. Chavez says he has even used his Traeger as an oven for a long braise when making a pot of chili or soup, which provides great texture and an extra touch of smoky flavor.
How do you clean a Traeger grill?
Just like any other grill, Niles recommends cleaning your Traeger right after use. "Otherwise, you'll continue to have build-up from the smoke, and that will wear down your grill over time," he says. Any quality grill cleaner can be used on a Traeger, though the brand sells its own, which is biodegradable and cuts through grease without scrubbing.
Chavez also notes that the foil drip trays in the grease and ash keg are very helpful for keeping drippings away from the bottom of the grill. "Once the tray is really dirty, just toss it out and replace it with a new one. To clean out the ashes from the bottom, we use a shop vac, and this works really well," he says.
How long do Traeger grills last?
Traeger grills are constructed with a steel body that provides great heat retention and longevity. This powder-coated steel is specifically designed for outdoor use. With proper cleaning and care, a Traeger will last between five to ten years. The Ironwood and Timberline models come with a 10-year warranty while the Traeger Flatrock comes with a five-year warranty.
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